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arXiv · 1504.07769

Quantum random number generation for 1.25 GHz quantum key distribution systems

A. Martin·B. Sanguinetti·C. C. W. Lim·R. Houlmann·H. Zbinden
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Abstract

Security proofs of quantum key distribution (QKD) systems usually assume that the users have access to source of perfect randomness. State-of-the-art QKD systems run at frequencies in the GHz range, requiring a sustained GHz rate of generation and acquisition of quantum random numbers. In this paper we demonstrate such a high speed random number generator. The entropy source is based on amplified spontaneous emission from an erbium-doped fibre, which is directly acquired using a standard small form-factor pluggable (SFP) module. The module connects to the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) of a QKD system. A real-time randomness extractor is implemented in the FPGA and achieves a sustained rate of 1.25 Gbps of provably random bits.

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A. Martin, B. Sanguinetti, C. C. W. Lim, R. Houlmann, H. Zbinden. 2015-04-29. Quantum random number generation for 1.25 GHz quantum key distribution systems. https://doi.org/10.1109/jlt.2015.2416914

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